Posted by Chester Morton / Monday, 28 March 2016 / No comments
The International Court of Justice of the United Nations Organization
THE
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
Introduction
The
International Court of Justice or the I.C.J. is another organ of the United
Nations Organization. Its headquarters are in The Hague, Netherlands. The I.C.J.
is made up of 15 judges who serve for nine years but are eligible for
re-election, at most twice.
FUNCTIONS
OF THE I.C.J.
Settlement
of Disputes
The
main function of the International Court of Justice is to settle disputes among
the member states of the United Nations. It can also settle disputes involving
non-member states.
Legal
Advice
The
various bodies of the United Nations, especially the Security Council and the
General Assembly solicits legal opinions from the I.C.J. on legal issues. So
the I.C.J. offers the United Nations legal advice when they request it.
Interpretation
of Conventions
There
are several conventions that govern the activities of member states of the
United Nations. There is, for example, an International Maritime Law that member
states must adhere to. In the event of any dispute on the proper interpretation
of any of these international laws, it is the function of the I.C.J. to give
its interpretation.
International
Law and Treaties
The
I.C.J. settles disputes in relation to international law and treaties. When
states breach international obligations, the I.C.J. is the body that determines
the level of reparation to be paid by the breaching state.
CRITICISMS
OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
Limited
Jurisdiction
Unless
the parties to a dispute agree to bring the matter before the International
Court of Justice, the body has no power to delve into the case. Thus the
conflict between Nigeria and Cameron over the Bakassi Peninsular persisted
until both parties to the dispute agreed that the I.C.J. must settle it. In
other words, the I.C.J.s mandate is only limited to matters before it.
Limited
to nations
A
private organization or enterprise, cannot take a dispute to the International
Court of Justice. It is limited to nations only who must agree to take
the matter there.
Absence
of Judicial Independence
The
International Court does not have the independence that a normal judiciary is
expected to have in a democratic member country. This is so because of the some
permanent members of the Security Council prevent a riling from being enforced,
especially where it involves their darling nation.
Enforcement
Powers
The
International Court of Justice cannot enforce its decisions because it does not
have the powers to do so. It is instructive to know that when any party to a
dispute before it refuses to comply by its ruling, the I.C.J. can only report
that party to the Security Council for any necessary action to be taken.
Other
International Courts
The
existence of other international courts is an affront to the existence of the
I.C.J. because they do not come under the ambit of the I.C.J. An example is
the International Criminal Court. The International Criminal Court incidentally
is also headquartered in The Hague but it does not come under International
Court of Justice.
SAMPLE
QUESTIONS
1.
a. What is the International Court of Justice?
b. Which five functions are performed by the International Court of Justice?
2.
a. Describe the International Court of Justice.
b. What five criticisms have been levelled against the operations of the
International Court of Justice?
OBJECTIVE
QUESTIONS ON THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION
Test
One
1.
The Secretary of State of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is appointed
for a period of
A.
three years
B.
five years
C.
seven years
D.
nine years
2.
The use of Veto power in the United Nations is only exercised by the
A.
economic and Social Council
B.
International Court of Justice
C.
Trusteeship Council
D.
Security Council
3.
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is
made up of
A.
25 members
B.
26 members
C.
27 members
D.
28 members
4.
the most important achievement of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is the
A.
election of a Secretary-General from Africa
B.
prevention of another World War
C.
increase in its membership
D.
settlement of cases of election rigging
5.
The major aim of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is to
A.
maintain international peace and security
B.
co-ordinate and supervise the activities of specialized agencies
C.
promote sports among all nations
D.
stabilize the price of oil in the market
6.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is an agency of the
A.
Organization of African Unity (OAU)
B.
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
C.
Commonwealth of Nations
D.
United Nations Organization
7. The Headquarters of the United Nations
Organization (UNO) is located at
A.
New York
B.
Addis Ababa
C.
Vienna
D.
London
8.
The international organization, formed after the Second World war to guarantee
international peace and security is called the
A.
non-aligned Movement
B.
United Nations Organization
C.
League of nations
D.
Casablanca Group
9.
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is one of the specialized agencies of
A. Organization of African Union (OAU)
B.
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
C.
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
D.
United Nations Organization (UNO)
10.
An organ of the United Nations Organization (UNO) whose decision is binding on
all members of the
A.
Security Council
B.
Economic and Social Council
C.
Trusteeship Council
D.
International Court of Justice
Test
Two
1.
Which of the following is an organ of the United Nations Organization (UNO)?
A.
Assembly of Heads of State
B.
International Labour Organization
C.
Council of Ministers
D.
The Security Council
2.
Which of the following bodies is the most representative organ of the United Nations
Organization (UNO)?
A.
The Economic and Social Council
B.
The Trusteeship Council
C.
The Security Council
D.
The General Assembly
3.
The world organization which existed before the United Nations Organization was
the
A.
League of Nations
B.
European Economic Community
C.
Organization of African Unity (OAU)
D.
Commonwealth of Nations
4.
Which of the following is the most powerful organ of the United Nations
Organization (UNO)? The
A.
Trusteeship Council
B.
Security Council
C.
Council of Ministers
D.
Secretariat
5.
The organ of the United Nations Organization responsible for negotiating
agreements with the Specialized agencies is the
A.
General Assembly
B.
Security Council
C.
Economic and Social Council
D.
trusteeship Council
6.
The Internal Court of Justice has its Headquarters in
A.
The Hague
B.
Paris
C.
London
D.
New York
7.
Which of the following countries is a permanent member of the Security Council?
A.
India
B.
Canada
C.
China
D.
Korea
8.
October 24 of each year is universally marked as the United Nations Day because
on this day, the
A.
United Nations Organization (UNO) officially came into existence
B.
Second World War ended
C.
Two Super Powers signed the United Nations Charter
D.
Charter on Fundamental Human Rights was signed
9.
One of the objectives of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is to
A.
develop the African states
B.
maintain international peace and security
C.
ensure that workers all over the world are paid handsome wages and salaries
D.
provide ammunition for any warring state
10.
All the following organs of the United Nations Organization (UNO) have their
Headquarters in New York except the
A.
United Nations Development Project (UNDP)
B.
World Health Organization (WHO)
C.
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
D.
International Labour Organization (ILO)
Test
three
1.
The organ of the United Nations organization which consists of all the members
is called
A.
General Assembly
B.
Economic and Social Council
C.
Trusteeship Council
D.
Security Council
2.
The International Court of Justice at the Hague consists of
A.
5 judges
B.
7 Judges
C.
10 Judges
D.
15 Judges
3.
What is the nationality of the first African to become Secretary-General of the
United Nations Organization (UNO)?
A.
Ethiopia
B.
Tanzania
C.
Egyptian
D.
Nigerian
4.
Which of the following personalities did Kofi Annan succeed as the
Secretary-General of the United Nations Organization?
A.
U Thant
B.
Dag Hammarskjold
C.
Boutros Boutros Ghali
D.
Perez de Cuellar
5.
The main deliberative organ of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is the
A.
International Court of Justice
B.
Secretariat
C.
Economic and Social Council
D.
General Assembly
6. The “Uniting for Peace” resolution of the
United Nations Organization (UNO) was adopted in
A.
1945
B.
1947
C.
1950
D.
1960
7.
The veto was given to the five members of the Security Council of the United
Nations Organization (UNO) is necessary because it
A.
makes them respect the UNO and helps her achieve her objectives.
B.
gives due respect to whom honour is due.
C.
makes apartheid South Africa fear the UNO
D.
brings the big powers into an agreement on the big issues.
8.
The United Nations day is celebrated on
A.
March 14th
B.
May 5th
C.
October 24th
D.
September 17th
9.
The United Nations Secretary-General is appointed by the
A.
Secretariat
B.
Economic and Social Council
C.
International Court of Justice
D.
General Assembly
10.
The international organization which was formed after the Second World War to
guarantee international peace and security is the
A.
World Bank
B.
United Nations Organization
C.
League of Nations
D.
British Commonwealth of nations
